First Rock Lake - Beartooth Mountains

One of my goals is to see and photograph as many lakes in the Beartooth Mountains as I possibly can (before I get too decrepit to do the hikes). As I research these areas, I discover that there really is not much information available online regarding these trails in the Beartooth Mountains.

Here is a view of Thunder Mountain from the opposite side. First Rock Lake in the foreground.

After we set up our camp at Keyser Brown, we still had energy and some daylight, and I was hoping we could get to First Rock and Second Rock Lakes and back to camp before dark.
There is no official trail and we ended up following cairns that took us through some big boulder fields and downed timber. Even though it was only about a mile from our camp to the far end of First Rock Lake, it was far enough for me.

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We took a break here, and watched the fish jumping. It was very entertaining. The small Brookies were jumping completely out of the water. This small lake seemed to be overloaded with hungry trout.

There is one very nice campsite at First Rock Lake. The rest of the area around the lake is steep, swampy and, as the name suggests - rocky.

Keyser Brown Lake Camp in the Beartooth Mountains

The trail to Keyser Brown Lake is pretty easy, with no real steep areas. It is about 7 miles to Keyser Brown Lake from the trailhead with only about 1000 feet altitude gain.

It was pretty easy going, and we were very pleased to find a campsite with a magnificent view up the valley to Sky Pilot Mountain. The picture below was taken from our camp.

In fact, we were the only party camped at Keyser Brown Lake. We still had plenty of energy so we took some time to explore the area. Below, Joe at the inlet. This end of the lake has a beautiful meadow full of wildflowers and lots of good campsites.

The fish were jumping and I just had to do a little fishing. We didn't want to fool with cooking them, though, so they all went back into the lake!

Thunder Mountain View

4.7 miles up the Lake Fork trail, we crossed the nice wide wooden bridge, where I took this picture of Thunder Mountain. We met a couple here who had done a day hike. This was our last human encounter for the next 26 hours.

We were heading for Keyser Brown Lake, which lies on the other side of this mountain. We also hoped to explore First Rock and Second Rock Lakes further up the canyon beyond Keyser Brown. At this point, the trail became a bit steeper, but it was not bad.

Braodwater Lake

As fall weather cools the air, I am putting away all the backpacking equipment.

I realize a couple of my trips from August have not yet been posted on my blog, so will get started with this backpacking trip taken one month ago, on August 16.

Broadwater Lake is little more than a wide spot in the Lake Fork of Rock Creek.

It is about 3 miles up a wide, very easy trail.
This lake has two pretty good campsites, and I saw small trout in the water here.
It would be a good place to bring small children for a first backpacking trip.
It was not quite half way for us this time.

Bozeman ArtWalk - Tart Gallery

Artwalk in Bozeman.
My favorite gallery - "Tart".
I especially loved the paper mache art.

This entire wall is work by artist, Allie Buck.

China Marks Sewn Drawings

These are the last 4 pieces from the China Marks show in Bozeman.

She layers her fabric "drawing" over canvas, which makes it firm enough to hang fairly well.

China Marks website.

Individual Works of China Marks

I thought you'd enjoy seeing the show, so here are a few more pieces. Enjoy!

Learn more about China Marks at her website here.
The show hangs through December 20 at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture in Bozeman, Montana.

China Marks Show in Bozeman

Not quilts, not collages, China Marks' pieced and stitched fabric assemblages are a form of spliced imagery that is quirky, surreal, and not quite narrative.

The show opened with a reception and talk last Friday at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture.

Learn more about this artist at her website.

Emerson Center, Bozeman - Fiber Art Show

Last night at the Emerson, each artist was invited to talk about their work. It was interesting hearing about the various processes included in the show. This piece - of San Francisco is done primarily with paintsticks and fancy stitches on the Bernina.

Below, the artist used "thrumbs" - leftover snippets of wool to create the texture on this weaing.

Above, the artist used rust as well as acrylic paints to color the fabrics in the piece.
Below, the wool in the weaving was all hand dyed.

This artist, above used woven, painted Tyvek in her piece.
Below, the entire piece was felted as a solid unit - there is no needle felting at all. She said it was about 8" thick when she started.

The artist who created this piece (my favorite in the show) was not there to tell us about her process.

The show will be hanging through December 20.

Emerson Cultural Arts Center - Fiberart Show

I am just returning home from Bozeman. Last night I participated in the Artist Reception at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture, where I have two pieces hanging in the show. Above, my piece Picket Fences, and below Calico Hills.
Link to the Emerson Center here.

Community Threads & Yarns
Juried Fiber Exhibit
August 20 - December 23, 2010
Gallery talk 5:30 Emerson Lobby Meet the artists at 5:30 pm on
ArtWalk night, Friday, September 10th.

Artists include:
Becky Boaz
Katie Cash
Amanda Cater
Leisa Cook
Susan Fairfax
Gina Gahagan
Roxy Goff
Susan Lenard
Carol Roehm
Marlene Saccoccia
Nadine Shafer
Mary Venable
Geri Ward
Cynthia St. Charles
Regina Seagrave
Karin Utzinger

Screen Pinted Songbirds

The Chickadee and Goldfinch are two birds we see nearly every day at our birdfeeders. I have taken pictures of them and converted the photos into Thermofax screens which were printed on the appropriate colored fabric and cut out. I added a bit of white to the Goldfinches with paint.

I feel this is a perfect, meaningful gift for my daughter who has decided to transplant herself in Alaska. It is a little bit of home - inspired by my backyard. I know the bright colors will cheer Michelle through the long Alaskan winter.

Autumn Tree - Quilting

Well, I have finished the quilting. I used a variegated poly thread on top and Bottom Line in the bobbin. I am so happy with my new Juki 98Q for free motion quilting. It flows along flawlessly. Really liberating to not have to fight with my machine!

Next, I will trim it into a nice rectangle and add the screen printed birds.

New Work -Splatter Painted Fabric

I am working on a quilt specifically for daughter Michelle. It will be a housewarming gift for her as she settles into her new cabin in Homer, Alaska.

She asked for some smaller quilts to hang on her walls. I would never have presumed that she might want my work on her walls, but since she has asked, I am making something just for her.

The background fabric is a piece I splatter painted several years ago - using out chokecherry trees as color inspiration. I've been waiting for the perfect project for this wonderful fabric. Michelle is fond of yellow and other bright colors. She has told me she likes my series with trees and screen printed birds, so that is my inspiration.

The tree trunk and branches is pole wrapped shibori I dyed - probably 6 years ago or so. I am delighted to find it the perfect fabric for this piece.

Stay tuned! Quilting is next!

Solar Dyeing - Drying Fabrics

One last look before I start dumping these jars!

And here are some of the fabrics - wet from the jars - a nice neutral palette - yes?

In order to keep track of my process, I have put Tyvek labels on each bundle as it came out of the container. I am going to allow these to air dry naturally before I wash them out. The Tyvek with Sharpie writing should be able to withstand the washing machine - or so I have heard. I hope the air drying phase will help the color bond better with the fabric (it's what I do when dyeing with rust - so I hope it works with plant material, too!)

Some people use a post mordant, and I am toying with that idea, but not sure what to use . . . Probably won't actually do it this time around.

Solar Dyeing - Summer's End

Solar Dyeing 2010

Here is my assortment of dye containers that have been sitting out all summer. The weather is cooling now , and I planned to take the fabrics out in early September.

I am pleased with what appears to be some color development in nearly every container.

I ran out of jars with lids so I started using these plastic tubs that I keep around for my synthetic MX dye process.

I have carefully documented the contents of each container.
Wild Bergamot Leaves - these created a pale color.

All of the various sunflower concoctions made good color - whether the buds, the leaves or the stems.

Some of the contents are starting to get moldy. And a little smelly. Kinda nasty. I am going to wear my gloves when I work with these!